Las Vegas' Smith Center for the Performing Arts

The Smith Center for the Performing Arts, set to open Saturday (March 10) in downtown Vegas, is a $470-million complex that will host concerts, theatrical performances and more.

The Smith Center for the Performing Arts, set to open Saturday (March 10) in downtown Vegas, is a $470-million complex that will host concerts, theatrical performances and more. (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times)

"[We] no longer wanted to be the largest community in North America without something important," says Smith Center President and CEO Myron Martin, shown inside the 2,050-seat Reynolds Hall.

"[We] no longer wanted to be the largest community in North America without something important," says Smith Center President and CEO Myron Martin, shown inside the 2,050-seat Reynolds Hall. (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times)